COMMUNITY ARTS Connecting Cultures & Creating Community for 24 Years
The shortest distance between two people is a story, a song or a dance. ~Masankho Banda of Malawi, LEAFer for 18 years~
Introducing *INVITING PARTNERS | FUNDING & SUPPORT* LEAF is entering the next evolution of community impact & opportunities. Opening Fall 2019, LEAF Global is a state of the art world music & arts center located in the heart of downtown Asheville. Join us in a journey of cultivating cultural curiosity together. GlobalArts@theLEAF.org | 828.68-MUSIC [686-8742] | theLEAF.org/GlobalArtsCenter
Karibu! Akeyi! Bienvenida! Murakaza Neza! Bienvenue! Welcome! CONNECTING OUR WORLD Founded in 1995, LEAF Community Arts is a non-profit organization, building community, connecting cultures and enriching lives through the arts – locally and globally – with festivals, community events, and cultural arts education programs. With dynamic programming, LEAF reaches a wide range of audiences from across the world, welcoming all ages and backgrounds. LEAF offers cultural arts education programs and festivals locally in WNC and in 10 countries around the world serving over 50,000 participants annually (80,000 with addition LEAF Global). We are dedicated to cultural preservation, igniting cultural curiosity, and creating spaces of possibility that foster shared experiences powerful enough to nurture unity, connect cultures, and transform lives. As we approach our 25th Anniversary, we hold strong in vision, capacity, and sustainability, often bringing together creative partnerships like being a Kennedy Center Partner in Education! LEAF Global is the natural next leap allowing us to continue to partner with the local community, connect our global community, and create longterm sustainability to achieve our mission.
WHY LEAF GLOBAL?
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LEAF Global provides a new culturally rich familyfriendly opportunity, and fills an important need for world-culture immersion destinations in WNC. Visitors will explore a wide world of immersive music and arts experiences fostering global citizenship and opening pathways toward greater understanding. Engagement activities include an interactive world map, international exhibits, virtual reality CAVE, ONEmic Studio, artist market, flexible theater space, instrument petting zoo, and much more. The center’s artists, curators and programming will educate, inform, and inspire families and all ages to expand their vision of humanity through a blend of interactive technology and authentic cultural expression. The historic downtown location broadens the scope of walk-able destinations, and provides an experiential bridge between the local community, visiting artists and tourism.
LEAF Global invites one and all to experience a world without borders where the creative expression of people and communities thousands of miles away are right at your fingertips. As globalization continues, understanding other cultures and one’s place in the world is increasingly critical to accessing future opportunities. For many, economic and/ or cultural barriers bar them from experiencing life beyond their known communities. Imagine what our world would look like where everyone had access to the rich global diversity and positive cultural exchange? From music, to dance, to language, arts, healing and poetry, LEAF Global will bring these cultural art experiences to an inspiring location that is affordable, educational and inclusive. More than just a magical day out, LEAF Global will expand every visitor’s connection to the world.
Join us
Building LEAF Global & Providing Pathways to Global Citizenship
FOUR KEY INVESTMENTS *Building LEAF Global
LEAF Global anticipates serving over 30,000 people annually with a diverse array of exhibits, interactive experiences, and exploratory programs. State of the art technology, paired with classes from our global Culture Keepers, will forever transform guests lens of the role they can play in our world. A long-term strategic vision for the center and the investment in its development will create a lasting space for curating global community. Fully accessible to people of all backgrounds and abilities, LEAF Global will inspire young and old to make meaningful connections in a world ready for greater harmony.
*Cultural Exchange
LEAF Global will provide the space for us to not only deepen our impact with those we currently serve but also expand our reach to serve more people, schools and communities. Currently we aim to serve 12,500 youth through our cultural arts programs in 2019. This will expand with LEAF Global. Most of our participants have rarely or never left the communities where they were born and raised. With your support, we can help them experience the larger world and imagine how they can build pathways to peace and understanding.
*Honoring History The historic Club Del Cardo on Eagle Street is the future home of LEAF Global. Honoring “The Block” neighborhood, and the Club’s historical significance is an important piece of this project. By being part of revitalizing the heritage of this street, LEAF Global plays a positive role by interweaving an appreciation for Asheville’s rich African American history and a deeper understanding of its connection to other global cultures. We are dedicated to creating an equitable place and community.
*Organizational Excellence
It takes talent, passion, and skill to change lives. Our team is committed to a journey of excellence that elevates our programs so we can best serve our community and the world. Your support will ensure our ability to reach more people, and provide continuous learning opportunities for our staff, artists and volunteers as we transform lives, connect cultures and generate unity. Your investment will allow us to grow from serving 50,000 to 80,000 individuals annually. Help us create a legacy of global connection! 3
Step inside LEAF GLOBAL | Main Floor
“LEAF GLOBAL importance is driven by its location which allows easy access to Arts and Culture for the many of Asheville’s communities, rural residents and tourists. At the heart of every new emerging city in America is a vibrant Arts & Culture scene driven by its community leaders that brings value to the city, making it lively and inviting. It is truly a honored to be apart of the LEAF team.” Nex Millen LEAF Lead ONEmic Teaching Artist, Hip Hop Scholar & Cultural Curator
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Sougou Artist Market
“As The Del Cardo building comes back alive on The Block, LEAF Global will serve as a place where all history and cultures are celebrated.� Roy Harris Historian + Del Cardo Exhibit Curator
CNC Design/Build
My Daddy Taught Me That, CoEverything, Asheville High
Del Cardo Original Doors
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Step inside LEAF GLOBAL | Underground
“(We are) creating a rich and immersive edutopia to promote cultural diversity, a cure for hate, ignorance and stereotypes. (Our team is creating the) CAVE, Center for Augmented & Virtual Experiences, offering rich, immersive interactive user experiences, self-guided explorations, exciting learning encounters, education promoting repetition and retention, and removing time and travel from the equation.� Farhad Javedi 6
Inventor + CPCC Program Chair, Simulation & Game Development, LEAF Global Curator w/ Simbryo partner Bahram Dahi
GIVING + NAMING OPPORTUNITIES LEAF is grateful for all donations, both financial and through equipment/product support. We believe giving is an extraordinary relationship and so vital to LEAF; therefore, we work with you to customize and find the magical match for your needs & giving vision to align with LEAF Global.
GOAL: $1,250,000 Founding Partners
$50,000+ Gifts
Available in advance of opening. Lifetime Recognition.
Naming Opportunities* Naming Partner Interactive World Map Global Sound Underground CAVE Virtual Reality Theater LEAF Live Stage Del Cardo History Exhibit ONEmic Recording Studio Cultural Immersion Cultural Dive In Kiosk
$1,000,000 $500,000 $250,000 $200,000 $100,000 $100,000 $50,000 $50,000 $50,000
(3 Kiosks themed Africa, Caribbean, Americas)
Headquarters (full 2nd floor) Entry / Doorway Cultural Exchange Program
$50,000 $25,000 $25,000
*The above opportunities come with five year partnership and exposure opportunities. There may also be multiple supporters of each area to reach the goal.
Custom Opportunities Welcome Station Easel Rider Art Bar Original Murals (all doors) Del Cardo Story Project Sougou Artists Market Madiba Mezzanine Learning Journeys Global Pathways for Local Youth LEAF Connection + Archive Kiosk To take a tour, learn more and find your place at LEAF Global, we would love to connect: GlobalArts@theLEAF.org 828.68-MUSIC [686-8742]
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There are things that give a town its soul, and LEAF does that for Asheville.
~Mike Zinsmeister, LEAF Board Member~
Miriam Gee Project Manager Co-Everything
LEAF GLOBAL TEAM
LEAF Navigators, brilliant curators, expert volunteers, LEAF Board Emeritus & many others. LEAF Board of Directors: Derek Allen • Deborah Bryant • Pete Roe • Jen Beasley • Neely Neu • Joanne Badr Morgan • Gary Broome • Jim Diaz • Naima Dido • Bill Feste • Vanessa Guerrero • Kerri Hampton • Dr. Eric “Big E” Howard • Anthony Thomas • Ford Willis • Steve Wilmans • Mike Zinsmeister LEAF Compass Advisors | Global visionaries whose trusted advice + inspiration supports LEAF staying aligned with “true north” and our mission: Judith Ann Abrams, NY, NY, Broadway Producer • Alexandra & Don Clayton, Asheville, NC + St. Maarten, International Business Entrepreneur • Bootsy & Pepperminte Patti Collins, Cincinnati, Ohio, Masters of FUNK! • Charles Gwinn, Winston Salem, NC, Developer/ International Consultant • Darrell Rose, Charlottesville VA, West African Drum Master • Derek Andrews, Toronto, Canada, Mundial Montreal + World Music Advocate • Gene Bell, Asheville, NC, AVL Housing Authority • Georgia Beasley, Peru, International Development • James Nave, Asheville, NC + Philippines, Poet • Kinobe, Kampala, Uganda, Dance of Hope • Kiran Singh, Jonesboro, TN + Scotland, Jonesboro Storytelling Festival • Lisa Ruberti, NY, NY, Bennetton, Donna Karen Masankho Banda, Malawi, International Peace Builder + Educator • Natalia Clavier, NY, NY, Thievery Corporation Tom Pryor, NY, NY, Music Journalist + Media Consultant • Greg Lucas, New Orleans, Preservation Hall
Thank You!
COMMUNITY ARTS LEAF Community Arts (LEAF), is a non-profit organization, building community, connecting cultures and enriching lives through the arts – locally and globally – with festivals, community events, and cultural arts education programs.
GlobalArts@theLEAF.org | 828.68-MUSIC [686-8742]
theLEAF.org/GlobalArtsCenter